Hornets can’t forfeit championship they didn’t win
Published 8:44 am Saturday, December 13, 2008
MONTGOMERY – The NCAA order placing Alabama State’s football program on probation for five years said the Hornets would forfeit all games won in the 2000 and 2001 seasons, including the 2001 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.
But Alabama State did not win the SWAC championship in 2001. Grambling defeated the Hornets 38-31 in that league title game.
A spokeswoman for the NCAA, Stacey Osburn, said Friday the report would not be changed. She said the intent of the report was to point out that the penalty includes postseason play and that Alabama State played in the championship game in 2001. Alabama State did win the SWAC east division in 2001 and will have to forfeit that crown.